Blackburn midfielder Andrews rewarded with new contract at Ewood Park

03 Sep 2009 01:17:19

Key role: Keith Andrews (right)
Key role: Keith Andrews (right)
Blackburn midfielder Keith Andrews believes he is taking his chance to repay the faith shown in him by former Rovers boss Paul Ince.
The former MK Dons captain was signed by Ince for £1.3million last summer and some doubted whether he would make the step up from League Two to the Barclays Premier League.
But Andrews signed a new four-year contract at Ewood Park in July after impressing manager Sam Allardyce.
Andrews, who is now a Republic of Ireland regular, said: 'When I originally signed for Blackburn, the chairman was very honest with me. He said that if I nailed down a place I would get rewarded with a contract.
'I'm not going to be coming from League Two to be the top earner at the football club and the chairman was true to his word and likewise the new manager.
'The negotiations had been on-going for a few months prior to the end of last season, so they had been dragging on a little bit and I think a couple of clubs made enquiries but they were made aware that I wasn't for sale.
'I'm very happy at Blackburn, I do enjoy it there, I like living in the area so it was a no-brainer really.
'Since he has come in the new manager has been spot on with me, treated me very well and played me in the vast majority of games. Basically, that's all I'm interested in playing games, making sure I'm playing on a regular basis to give me the best chance of keeping my place in the Ireland team.'